Charles, 8, has brown eyes, brown hair and an inquisitive smile. Charming and eager to please, Charles can be shy around new acquaintances but quickly warms up when he feels safe.

A very polite boy, Charles is affectionate and loving toward his foster family members with whom he is quite attached. He gets along well with other children around the same age. Charlie, as he is often called, loves animals and enjoys horseback riding lessons. He also likes to sing and dance.

Charles responds to humor and has made great progress in his current foster home.

His adoptive family will need to be patient and reassuring to help him slowly make the transition from his current living situation. He does best with routine and structure.

At school, Charles has the help of a one-on-one aide and goes to a resource room for reading instruction one hour a day. It is believed Charlie needs a two-parent family for support. He would do best with adoptive siblings around his age or older.

Subsidy may be available for the most appropriate family. Interested families with a completed home study are asked to contact Rebecca Bolstridge, Maine Department of Human Services, 11 High St., Houlton 04730. Call 532-5101 or e-mail Rebecca L. Bolstridge@maine.gov.

Another contact is A Family for Me (877) 505-0545.

Adoption Note:

The Bangor office of the Department of Human Services will hold an informational meeting about adoption and foster care from 1 to 3 p.m. Friday, Oct. 17, in Bangor. For location specifics and to participate, please contact A Family for Me, (877) 505-0545.